Attack Tories not Corbyn, Unison union left challenger John Burgess hits out

by Raymie Kiernan

Published Tue 24 Nov 2015

Issue No. 2481

John burgess, the left candidate for Unison union general secretary, has criticised incumbent Dave Prentis’ “thinly veiled attack” on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Prentis told the Sun on Sunday newspaper, “Divisive rows over Trident or shoot to kill are distractions no one needs.

“Arguing against austerity is what Labour should have been doing this week”.

John questioned Prentis “providing ammunition to Corbyn’s enemies in the pages of the Murdoch empire’s flagship paper”.

He said, “Perhaps Mr Prentis has forgotten News International’s smashing of the print unions at Wapping.” He asked if Prentis had “suddenly discovered the Sun supporting our members against the Tories’ attacks?”

As general secretary John said he would have different priorities. He would be questioning why the Tories can suddenly find money for 2,000 extra spies and bomb Syria while slashing fire and ambulance services.